Table 1 Common anthropometric measurements and indices in children under five
Index | Nutritional problem measured | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
Weight-for-Height/Length (WFH/L) | Severe wasting | WFH/L < −3 SD |
Moderate wasting | WFH/L < −3 SD and WFH/L ≥ −2 SD | |
Global wasting | WFH/L < −2 SD | |
Height/Length-for-age (H/LFA) | Severe stunting | H/LFA < −3 SD |
Moderate stunting | H/LFA < −2 SD and H/LFA ≥ −3 SD | |
Global stunting | H/LFA < −2 SD | |
Weight-for-age (WFA) | Severe underweight | WFA < −3 SD |
Moderate underweight | WFA < −2 SD and WFA ≥ −3 SD | |
Global underweight | WFA < −2 SD | |
Measurement | Nutritional problem measured | Indicator |
MUAC | Severe wasting | MUAC < 115 mm |
Moderate wasting | MUAC < 125 mm and MUAC ≥ 115 mm | |
Global wasting | MUAC < 125 mm | |
Oedema | Oedematous malnutrition | Bilateral oedema below the ankles: + |
Bilateral oedema up to knees: ++ | ||
Bilateral oedema up to arms and higher:+++ |